Games Weekend 20th March

[oriel]

Another glorious defeat. We could/ should have got points in the Dun and Shels game. We just cant score goals.

You def should have got something in Oriel Park, but you have touched on it, goals (lack of), also a bit silly I thought when Dundalk down to 10 pumping high balls in, Kilduff also took on an extra centre half.

Can only talk about recent PD exp for lower end and that was our deserved relegation in 2024, Dundalk never moved out of the bottom 2 all season, the UK imports that year were all below standard, striker Gullen who O'Donnell got in to play ahead of Hoban (should been a sackable offence allowing him to leave), anyway Gullen never even scored a home goal, and goals - lack of cost us dearly.

Point is, I do not see the bottom two changing, Waterford may be the worst by a stretch, that means Sligo are obv better, but that won't count for much if they don't start scoring and getting points, won't get easier with Pats, Derry and Bohs next 3 for Sligo, I do think Waterford look doomed though.

[TonyD]

Another glorious defeat. We could/ should have got points in the Dun and Shels game. We just cant score goals.

Missing Owen Elding big time by the looks of it. I don't see Cian Kavanagh getting you many goals. Whats up with Haikiki ? Is he injured? Always impressed me when I saw him play.

[TonyD]

Quite pleasantly surprised by Pats thus far. The opening couple of games were fairly miserable in a way that reflected the mood of the fan base coming into the season, but credit where it's due they've turned it around since.

The system has changed from previously where Kenny was admittedly fixated on wingers, to more of a fluid back 3/5 formation where Browne has the freedom of the right side and McClelland is essentially a winger himself with Turner behind him having a bit of license to roam himself. Nugent in for Mulraney is looking a great deal from our perspective, wasn't much fanfare around his signing but he's been quietly excellent so far. Brings an energy to midfield and an ability to win duels that has been sorely lacking in seasons past.

Waterford are looking lost though, like they don't know what type of team they are. Would be surprised if we had another away game this year that is as comfortable as that was.

Maybe there is a lesson there about getting carried away with negativity. I remember thinking at the time that all the doom and gloom among some Pats fans was very much OTT. Some even had us in a relegation battle FFS. Granted, its still early days, but we're doing ok.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Dundalk are so well coached under Kilduff. Very hard to beat and dangerous in their own right. We kind of got away with that one.
That is the type of game we would have lost last year.

I have argued before that a LoI team that had a big physical striker that can hold the ball up and run the channels will always pose a threat - and Dundalk have that type of striker in Arubi.

[sbgawa]

Arubi came accross well in his MOTM interview as well, delighted big kid vibe off him.
Nice to see

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Missing Owen Elding big time by the looks of it. I don't see Cian Kavanagh getting you many goals. Whats up with Haikiki ? Is he injured? Always impressed me when I saw him play.

Injured. Hopefully back for Inchicore.

[redobit]

Missing Owen Elding big time by the looks of it. I don't see Cian Kavanagh getting you many goals. Whats up with Haikiki ? Is he injured? Always impressed me when I saw him play.

Can't fault Kavangh for effort and work rate, but at this stage I think his confidence is so low Im not sure he wants a clear sighter on goal, and is happier to be working hard for the team. Needs to prob be a bit greedy and start focusing on getting goals.

Hakiki will be like a new signing when he's back, he hasnt really been involved too much this season.

[TonyD]

Injured. Hopefully back for Inchicore.

Ah, I'd give him another week, just to be sure like :)